China tells U.S. to keep out of South China Sea dispute

(Reuters) – China told the United States not to interfere in a regional dispute over claims to the South China Sea, saying it would only complicate the matter.

Japan’s NHK TV reported last week that the United States and southeast Asian countries may announce a joint statement on September 24 that obliquely presses China over its recent activities near disputed isles in the South China Sea.

China has been increasingly strident in asserting its territorial claims, especially maritime ones.

In the past week, it has suspended high-level exchanges with Japan and promised tough counter-measures after a court there extended the detention of the captain of a Chinese boat which collided with two Japanese coastguard ships near disputed islands.
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